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i'm finding this thread fascinating. it started out w/ low potential (are there reefs in nj? where? i want to crowd your line ups even more...) & has turned into an interesting discussion of geology & geography...

Here, in New Jersey, we don't have reefs. But we do have clam beds and shoals, and we have the Shrewsbury Rocks and Elberon Grounds, but they're hardly reefs. The theory is that these structures are the remnants of an ancient shoreline.

With regards to the Shrewsbury Rocks, I see it break from time to time when it's BIG! Never heard of "an ancient shoreline" or anything like that. But is it surf-able, has anyone tried? The only way I can see it is miles and miles from the shore and its so hard to tell what really goes on out there? Thanks guys some great info on reefs, great discussion!

Actually about 1/4 - 1/2 mile off Kure Beach (in between Carolina Beach and Ft. Fisher) there is a tall rock reef called Sheepshead Rock that is made of granite. It's really only good for fishing and spear fishing, but it is a very high relief structure that jumps from 25' in depth to 8' and is dome-shaped. The only problem is it's not really wide enough to cause a decent wave to break. On hurricane swells 8'+ it will create a short peak but not worth going out to.

However on a high vis day in the summer you can skin dive it and spear Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Black Seabass, Red Drum (illegal to spear in NC but cool to look at), Black Drum, etc. There are also copious sharks and barracuda that hang around it.

i like to take waves over the jetties and groins and watch the water suck up as I escape broken backs and boards. only in NJ. ive surfed OCNJ at times where it was only firing right on top of the rocks and you better not fall.

i'm finding this thread fascinating. it started out w/ low potential (are there reefs in nj? where? i want to crowd your line ups even more...) & has turned into an interesting discussion of geology & geography...

I hate to agree with you....But, you couldn't be more on the money with this thread. Very interesting/informative.

But we do have clam beds and shoals, and we have the Shrewsbury Rocks and Elberon Grounds, but they're hardly reefs. The theory is that these structures are the remnants of an ancient shoreline.

I recently surfed one of these clam/oyster/mussel shoals on a mid-atlantic sandy barrier island that is eroding very rapidly. the bay behind the island is loaded with all sorts of shellfish beds, and the narrow barrier island is migrating so quickly that the beach has rolled right over these shellfish beds so the old shellfish beds of (idk 20-30 years ago - this entire island is only about 200 yards wide and is MOVING) are 50-100 yards or more out in the ocean. The ocean bottom well out into the surf zone and beyond is comprised of beat up shellfish beds with points, ravines and gullies that made for some pretty good breaks.

...a high vis day in the summer you can skin dive it and spear Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Black Seabass, Red Drum (illegal to spear in NC but cool to look at), Black Drum, etc. There are also copious sharks and barracuda that hang around it.

One of the main reasons I am a strong advocate for manmade hard structure reefs along the New Jersey coastline, aside from beach protection. Imagine that... on days where there's a swell, the surfing potential. When it's flat, the spear fishing potential... just swim out with your sling, a flag, and a bag, and take home a fish or two dinner. That's something that "sand bag" structures won't give you.